Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
San Diego International Organ Festival kickoff concert: Award-winning organist Alcee Chriss III will perform works by Bach Liszt, Franck and Duruflé on the historic Spreckels pipe organ. It’s the first of nine Monday-night organ concerts featuring different organists and programs, through Sept. 7. 7:30 p.m. Monday. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego. Free. spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival
Tuesday
LGBTQ+ history lecture: The Mission Hills–Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library will host a discussion, “The New York Gay Liberation Front: What Can We Learn from GLF that Might Be Relevant 57 Years Later?” Keynote speakers Ron Auerbacher and Martha Shelley will guide the conversation and share their experiences of early LBGTQ+ liberation. 2:30 to 4 p.m. July 14, Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library, 215 W. Washington St., San Diego. Free. sandiego.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=355641
“North by Northwest”: The Old Globe presents the North American tour of this London-born stage comedy based on filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 mistaken-identity thriller about a man pursued across the country by a mysterious group of criminals. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 2. Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $43 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Wednesday
Light up The Cathedral: St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral will host an Interfaith Pride Celebration. The service will conclude with the cathedral being illuminated in rainbow colors. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 15. 2728 6th Ave., San Diego. sdpride.org/lightup
DimeStories: This month’s open-mic event invites authors to read their three-minute non-poetry fictional stories. 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The Book Catapult, 3010-B Juniper St., San Diego. Free. 619-795-3780, thebookcatapult.com.
“Clash of Clans” Live Experience: The mobile game will come to life through a live, interactive 30-minute experience called “Clash of Clans – Clash for the Stache!” Attendees will take part in group-based physical challenges and puzzles that bring gameplay elements into the real world. The event will also feature themed merchandise, food and photo opportunities. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, through Sept. 7. Seaport Village headquarters, 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego. Tickets range from $6-$14. clashforthestache.com
Alyssa Burns author event: The Coronado library hosts a young adult book talk with Alyssa Burns discussing her debut novel “The Last Special Thing,” followed by a Q&A and book-signing. 11 a.m. Wednesday. Event will be followed by a book signing. Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado. coronado.librarycalendar.com
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the San Diego regional premiere of this musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s dark children’s novel about a poor boy who wins the opportunity to visit a mysterious chocolatier’s candy factory. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Through July 25. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $21-$71. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
“American Rhythm”: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Lamb’s Players Theatre has revived its high-energy musical celebration of 100 years of American music, from ragtime to swing, jazz and rock and roll. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 27. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Thursday
Pride story time: Performers for Drag Queen Story Hour San Diego will read children’s books in public library settings to promote literacy and self-expression. City Heights/Weingart Library will host Willow BeMine on July 10, followed by University Heights Library hosting Friidae on July 16. Both family-friendly story time events are open to the public. 4:30 p.m. July 16, University Heights Library, 4193 Park Blvd., San Diego. Free. sandiego.gov/public-library/lgbtq
Verbatim Books in the Park til Dark: Verbatim Books will host an evening in the park for book lovers. This is part of a reoccurring series, and this week’s event will include a book swap from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bring one book to participate. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Bird Park, 28th Street and Thorn Street, San Diego. Free. verbatimbooks.com/events/#event=verbatim-books-in-the-park-til-dark-7
15 ways to celebrate Pride this July in San Diego County
Nate Bargatze: The “Big Dumb Eyes World Tour” is coming to San Diego. Nate Bargatze recently starred in the comedy movie, “The Breadwinner,” alongside Mandy Moore, and published a book titled, “Nate Bargatze: Stories from a Simpler Mind.” He can be seen in various comedy specials on Netflix and Amazon Prime and was the host of the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025. 7 p.m. July 16. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. $65.12. pechangaarenasd.com
Hidden Harbor: The Maritime Museum of San Diego will host a speakeasy event aboard the Star of India. Tickets come with a drink ticket, live music, an on board exploration game and access to a speakeasy on the lower level of this ship. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. $60.sdmaritime.org/visit/special-events/hidden-harbor-speakeasy-star-of-india
Laura Marie Meyers author event: A book release party for Laura Marie Meyers’ “The Mash Up” will be held. She will be in conversation with Lauren Okie. 7 p.m. Thursday. Meet Cute Romance Bookstore, 8235 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. Admission is free and books will be for sale onsite. 619-228-9548, meetcutebookshop.com/events/5510420260716
Dino Discovery Day: A Dino Day event with free family-friendly entertainment and activities will take place as part of the Discovery Days series at The Forum Carlsbad. The program will take place in the garden area near YETI and will feature a paleontologist giving an interactive presentation as well as a dinosaur egg craft. 10 a.m. to noon Thursday. 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad. Free. theforumcarlsbad.com.
Twilight on the Bike Path: Friends of the La Jolla Bike Path advocate and volunteer Glen Rasmussen will lead a 2.2-mile walking tour of the Fay Avenue bike path, drawing on his 60 years of exploring its flora and fauna. The one-hour twilight stroll will begin at 6:45 p.m. following the paved and dirt trail that runs along a former railroad line between La Jolla and Bird Rock. It stretches from Nautilus Street to Camino de la Costa. Pack a picnic dinner and meet at Starkey Park at 6 p.m. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome (bring your own waste bags). 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Starkey Mini Park, 6673 Draper St., San Diego. Free. lajollaparksbeaches.org.
“Boy My Greatness”: Loud Fridge Theatre Group presents the West Coast premiere of Zoe Senese-Grossberg’s play that explores how male actors played women’s roles in the plays of Shakespeare and others during the 1500s and 1600s. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 19. Loud Fridge at Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando. Free; donations of any amount encourage. loudfridge.com
“Dive Bar Time Machine”: Blindspot Collective presents this new play with music by Blake McCarty and Shellina Hefner set in a dive bar where human stories are told through songs by artists who defined their eras, including Frank Sinatrao, Donna Summer and Billie Holiday. Opens July 16 and runs through Aug. 9. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. The Loft, 4151 Matthews Lane, La Jolla. $35. blindspotcollective.org
“Hairspray”: New Village Arts presents the musical comedy about a spunky 1960s Baltimore teen aiming to integrate the city’s TV dance party show. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 19. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$70. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org
Friday
The Spirit of Stonewall Rally: San Diego Pride’s annual advocacy event honors leaders in the LGBTQ+ community and highlights current issues affecting the community. Held in recognition of the June 1969 Stonewall uprising, the rally brings together advocates and members of the community. 6 p.m. July 17. 535 Robinson Ave., San Diego. sdpride.org/rally-2026
“Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy” at The Shell: Arnie Roth will conduct the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in a performance of music from “FINAL FANTASY X,” in celebration of the game’s 25th anniversary. The concert will be accompanied by video created by SQUARE, bringing the video game to life. 7:30 p.m. July 17. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $78-$162. theshell.org/performances/distant-worlds-music-from-final-fantasy
Opening Day at Del Mar: Horse racing returns to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. next Friday for the start of the season. A hat contest will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plaza de Mexico and an opening day party at Seaside Cabana will feature DJs, cocktails and craft beers. An After Pony Party will include a buffet and a performance by DJ Murphi at Rancho Valencia. Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Ticket prices vary by event. dmtc.com/tickets/opening-day
“Decoding DaVinci”: ArtPower at UCSD presents this interactive, mystery-solving experiential theater show, where groups of ticket-holders will explore the campus deciphering codes, uncovering hidden symbols and outwitting enemies to solve a Renaissance-style mystery. Tours take place beginning at 2 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. UCSD, La Jolla. $30-$40. artpower.ucsd.edu/decoding-davinci
“Isaac’s Eye”: OnStage Playhouse presents Lucas Hnath’s surrealistic play about the fierce rivalry between 18th century British scientists Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through July 19. OnStage Playhouse, 292 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $20-$25. onstageplayhouse.org
Tramonto Music Festival: The city of Encinitas presents this annual festival of works directed by pianist Jacopo Giacopuzzi, featuring Italian and Italy-inspired chamber and jazz music, with a different program for each of three concerts. 7 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas. $30 each or $80 for all three. 760-633-2746, encinitasca.gov